Celebrate Bastille Day in Paris!

• Posted by: Editor
• On: 17/04/2007 15:05:01
• In: General Travel Tips

Bastille Day or "Fête National" is celebrated throughout France each year on the 14th of July. It commemorates the "Storming of the Bastille" that took place on this very day in 1798, a day which marked the beginning of the French Revolution.

The Bastille was a castle, which actually served as a prison. Although the castle has long gone, visitors can head for place de la Bastille - a square which lies between the 4th and the 12th arrondissements in an area called Bastille. The "July Column" stands in this square today along with the Bastille Opera and the Bastille Metro Station.

Come to this square the evening before the big day to enjoy a massive outdoor party. Or you can also pop along to one of the many fire stations in the city where the fire fighters put on a great street party with live music!

You'll have to rise early the next morning if you want a good viewing spot as the Bastille Day Parade starts at 10am. Expect huge crowds and lots of streets to be blocked so it may be quite difficult to get around. Try to find a viewing spot along the Champs-Elysées as the parade starts at the Arc de Triomphe and finishes at Place de la Concorde.

This parade is a military one, led by the cadets, infantry troops, motorised troops, the French Republican Guard, the Police and last but not least - the city's very much loved Fire Brigade! Flying overhead the parade spectators can watch a flypast performed by the French Air Force and the Naval Air Force.

The President of France along with the foreign ambassadors also attend the event which is considered to be the largest military parade in Europe and is broadcasted live on French TV.

The celebrations continue right throughout the day with lots of entertainment and music on the streets and in most pubs and clubs. At night make your way to the Champ-de-Mars to watch the superb fireworks display at the Trocadéro. After the fireworks head back into the buzzing city centre and get ready to party the night away!

With July 14th fast approaching now is the time to book your accommodation for one of the biggest party's in Paris – we've got hotel all over Paris, check them out now!

Now we would like to hear what you've got to say about Bastille Day! If you've any advice or tips on where to go, what to see and do, then drop us a line and let us know.